DC vs KKR IPL 2023 Match 28 Highlights: Warner, Ishant, Kuldeep help Delhi taste first win of season

Delhi Capitals finally got the monkey off their back as they registered their first win in the IPL 2023 by picking up a 4-wicket victory over Kolkata Knight Riders on Thursday (April 20) at Arun Jaitely Stadium in New Delhi.

Leading from the front, David Warner slammed his fourth half-century of the season but it must have felt better as this one resulted in a winning cause for the Australia batter.

Chasing a below-par total of 128, the Delhi batters were made to toil hard as Kolkata Knight Riders spinners kept the leash tight for the hosts in the run chase. With six runs required of the last over, Axar Patel and Lalit Yadav held on to their nerves and crossed the winning line.

First Win for Delhi Capitals in IPL 2023

The Capitals had previously come out on the wrong side of all five of their matches, but an impressive display with the ball edged them to a nervy win to alleviate their early-season struggles, while Kolkata have now lost three on the bounce.

After a rain delay, David Warner won the toss and put the Knight Riders into bat, a decision that quickly paid dividends as his bowlers tore through Kolkata's top order to leave them three wickets down in the powerplay, though opener Jason Roy hung in to add 43 from 39 balls before he was dismissed by Kuldeep Yadav.

Delhi's bowlers continued to dominate as the Knight Riders' innings crumbled, with Anrich Nortje (2-20) and Ishant Sharma (4-19) leading the charge as Kolkata were all out for just 127.

Warner reached his half-century off 33 balls to take Delhi to 93-4, before he was dismissed in a wicket maiden from Varun Chakravarthy in the 14th over, giving the Knight Riders some hope.

Those hopes were boosted as Delhi picked up just 23 for the loss of two wickets in the next five overs, but needing seven off the last, Axar Patel did just enough to get his team over the line.

Knight Riders' powerplay struggles continue

Kolkata lost three wickets within the first six overs to severely hamper their innings, and not for the first time, with the Knight Riders' 15 wickets lost in the powerplay in this season's IPL the highest of any team.

The target they set was just too small, despite a last-ditch effort from their bowlers, and Kolkata have work to do with the bat if they are to end this losing streak.

Warner plays a captain's innings

Warner's 57 runs off 41 balls means he is now the leading run-scorer against Kolkata in IPL history, while he also moved to eight half-centuries against the Knight Riders, tied for the most alongside Suresh Raina.

The Australian went at a strike rate of 139 on his way to a fourth score of 50 or more in this year's IPL. This win will certainly calm the nerves of coach Ricky Ponting's side and it will now be looking to take an upward curve.

Vintage Ishant Sharma rolls back the clock

Ishant Sharma rolled back years as Delhi Capitals bowling attack finally joined the party with a collective effort, restricting Kolkata Knight Riders to a paltry 127 on a spicy deck in an IPL match here on Thursday.

David Warner won a good toss and opted to field as Ishant (2/19 in 4 overs), playing his first IPL match in over two seasons, was bang on target with 13 dot balls and hitting those immaculate three-quarter length just like yesterday.

In rhythm, he still hits 140 clicks but once he was done with his four overs, he literally collapsed in the dug-out chair as Prithvi Shaw came in as 'Impact Player'.

(With Agency Inputs)